The chairman Electoral commission (EC) justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama has revealed that the EC has extended the general national voters verification period for more other five days.
The voter verification exercise commenced on Thursday 21st November 2019 and was scheduled to stop on Wednesday 11th 2019 (tomorrow). However, the EC today revealed that the exercise will continue for more five days until Monday 16th December 2019.
Below is a statement released by the Uganda electoral commission:
The
Electoral Commission is undertaking the update of the National Voters’ Register
for purposes of the 2020/2021 General Elections. The general update exercise
commenced on Thursday 21st November 2019 and was scheduled to close
tomorrow, Wednesday 11th December 2019. However, due to higher numbers of
applicants at the update centers since the beginning of this week, and requests
from key stakeholders in the electoral process, the Electoral Commission has
found it necessary and taken a decision to extend the update period, which was
scheduled to close on Wednesday 11th December 2019, for five (5) more days,
starting from Thursday 12th and ending Monday 16th December 2019, after which,
there will be no further extension.
This
exercise will continue to be conducted at update stations in each parish
throughout Uganda, starting from 8:00am to 6:00pm, throughout the extended
period, including weekends. Please note that the purpose of this extension is
to provide an opportunity for eligible persons who have not yet registered to
do so.
The general
public is, therefore, reminded to carefully observe the following:
a) This is
not a fresh registration of voters but an exercise to enable Ugandan citizens
who have attained the age of 18 years and above and who have not yet registered
to register as voters in order to participate in elections.
b) A registered voter who wishes to transfer to
new voting locations shall be able to do so during this period. Please note
that such a voter who wishes to transfer to a new voting location must present
confirmation that he/she originates from or is, at the time of application for
transfer, a resident of the Parish of that (new) voting location. Such
applicants should ensure they have details of their previous voting location.
c) The Electoral Commission has availed the
National Voters’ Register for each polling station at the Update center in each
parish, so that existing voters check and confirm their registration status,
that is, whether their particulars are well-captured.
Emerging
Issues from the Update Exercise
The
Electoral Commission has noted, with concern, reports of alleged extortion of
money by some local leaders and update officials from applicants in order to
sign on their applications before processing the applications.
This is
illegal, and the Commission strongly condemns it. The Commission has provided
all necessary forms (for application as a voter, or application for transfer)
free of charge. The Commission calls on all officials involved in this update
exercise to desist from any acts that may frustrate eligible applicants from
exercising their constitutional right to apply for registration as voters.
The
Electoral Commission urges all eligible persons who are not yet registered as
voters, and those who wish to apply for transfer of voting location, to use
this opportunity, and do so, in order to participate in the General Elections.
The Commission also appeals to eligible public servants and other (eligible)
persons in formal employment to take advantage of this extension, particularly
the weekend.
For God and
My Country,
Justice
Byabakama Mugenyi Simon
EC Chairperson 10/12/2019.
By Josephine Kauma
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